Eleanor “Ellie” Marjorie Pelzer, age 90 years, 7 months, and 26 days, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at Cass County Memorial Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa.
Ellie was born on December 20, 1934, in Lebanon, South Dakota, to Adolph and Mary Bess (Lawrence) Erickson. A proud graduate of Spearfish High School, she became the first member of her family to attend college, earning her 3-year registered nursing degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. The result of a blind date arranged by a fellow college classmate, Pat Echtermeyer (Mills) from Cumberland, IA, Ellie eloped with Leon “Bill” Pelzer of Lyman, Iowa, on December 31, 1955. They purchased the family farm just outside Lyman, Iowa. Ellie was a nurse at Cass County Memorial Hospital for several years and also helped on the farm. Throughout her life, Ellie remained active in the American Red Cross, Noble Township United Methodist Church, and later the Griswold United Methodist Church. She also dedicated countless hours and served in many positions with the American Legion Auxiliary Post 508 in Griswold.
Those left to cherish Ellie’s memory are her four children: Randall Pelzer (Carol) of Emmetsburg, Iowa; Debra Paul (Dennis) of Boulder, Colorado; Beth Kimpson (Stan) of Griswold, Iowa; and Lisa Vetter (Greg) of Red Oak, Iowa. She also leaves 11 grandchildren and their spouses: Randy’s children: Rachael Jungers (Derrick), Bill Pelzer (Dana), Eric Pelzer (Brianna), and Ashley Forrer (Brandon); Debra’s children: Alex Paul and Allie Paul; Beth’s children: Gabe Kimpson (Ari), Morgan “Mo” Kimpson (Fallon); Lisa’s children: Mallie Kludt (Steve), Mandie Reynolds (Josh), and Sydney Ritter (Scott); and 12 great-grandchildren, including Alexis, Landry, and Brevin Kludt; Jalen and Jett Reynolds; Maggie and McCoy Ritter; Declan and Hazel Jungers; Parker and Emmet Forrer; and Nick Daeges. Ellie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Leon “Bill” Pelzer, in 1983; brothers Leif, Duane, Lauren “Bumpy,” Chris, Carl, and Gerald “Jerry” Erickson; sister Bertha “Bert” Dempcy-Harris; sisters-in-law Shirley (Leif), Minnie (Lauren “Bumpy”), and Fran (Carl); and brother-in-law Jack Dempcy.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Griswold United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jess Jacobsen officiating. A luncheon will be served at the church immediately following Ellie’s Celebration of Life Service. True to her lifelong commitment to service and as a proud Creighton University alumna, Ellie’s wishes were to donate her body to the Anatomical Board of the State of Nebraska. Ellie’s thoughtful and selfless gift will be vital to helping science education, research, and surgical advances, and will carry on the compassionate legacy she lived every day. The family respectfully requests that memorials be directly sent to the American Legion Auxiliary Post 508, PO Box 561, Griswold, Iowa 51535. Condolences may be sent online at www.giftsyouleftbehind.com or emailed to InMemoryOfElliePelzer@gmail.com or directly to any one of her children.
